Newark were disrupted by injury

A good first half, helped by the blustery conditions, eased Newark ahead thanks to tries from props James Price and Rob Dunning and one by captain Tom Coen.

Coen had started on the bench, because of a knock, only to find himself on the pitch after five minutes in the unusual position of centre after Chris Tate sustained a head injury.

Newark were disrupted by injury later on when fly half Tom Mawer hurt a knee early in the second half and lock Jonny Statham a leg in the closing stages.

Overall, Newark paid for a disastrous period immediately after half-time. They conceded three tries in the opening 10 minutes and then a fourth on the hour mark which put Spalding 29-22 ahead.

Newark found some cohesion after falling behind and gained a penalty try for good forward work. Dan Mackie converted to level the scores at 29-29.

However, Spalding finished on the attack and gained two penalty chances in the closing stages. The first fell well wide but the second was landed to edge the home team two points clear.

Newark’s reward from a tough afternoon was a point for losing by fewer than seven and a second for scoring four tries.

After last week’s home loss to Southwell, Newark fielded a rejiggers team including recalls for Alex Scott at full-back, Neil Clark at No 8 plus a league debut for wing Sam Dobson.

Newark team: Scott; Dobson, Hunter-Shaw, Tate (capt), Stark; Mawer, Mackie; Dunning, Tomlinson, Price, Statham, Boyd, Duncan, Fotheringham, Clark.

Subs: Hempstead, Bagga, Coen.

Tries: Price, Dunning, Coen, pen try.

Conversions: Mackie (3).

Penalty goals: Mackie.